Man indicted by Grand Jury on 9 charges

(Franklin) — A Heard County grand jury comprised of 18 people indicted a local man in Superior Court Monday on nine charges relating to an alleged January 18 attack on a Franklin woman.

39-year-old Kelcey Jermaine Moreland was taken into custody by authorities during the afternoon hours of January 19 after an interview was conducted by the Franklin Police Department.

According to Superior Court documents, Moreland faces one count of Rape O.C.G.A 16-6-1, two counts of Burglary in the First Degree O.C.G.A. 16-7 (b), two counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony O.C.G.A. 16-4-1, two counts of Aggravated Assault O.C.G.A. 16-5-21, one count of False Imprisonment O.C.G.A. 16-5-41, and one count of Theft by Taking O.C.G.A. 16-8-2.

A report issued by Franklin Police Chief Kevin Hannah alleges that Moreland entered the residence of the adult Franklin female through a window late in the evening of January 18 and then proceeded to kill the main power breaker to the house before attacking the woman who was at home alone in her bedroom.

Kelcey Moreland (Photo via Facebook)

The court charges allege that Moreland brandished a weapon (a knife) as he ripped off the woman’s clothing during the attack and covered her mouth with a piece of plastic so she was unable to breathe.

Reports also state that Moreland took the woman’s phone so that she was unable to call for help.

After the attack, the victim was able to flee the scene while still unclothed. She ran to a nearby neighbor’s house for help.

Lieutenant Tino Brooks of the Franklin Police Department is the prosecuting officer in the case.

Moreland, who remains in the Heard County jail, is scheduled for arraignment in Superior Court on Thursday, April 24. Stay tuned to HeardCitizen.com for further updates on the case.